Selena Gomez Supports Her Mom at Foster Care Fundraiser

Selena Gomez looked stunning sans boyfriend (Justin Bieber reportedly stayed in the car), sporting a sleeveless dress and old Hollywood hair waves as she walked the red carpet with her mom and stepdad for the annual comedy show fundraiser “The Right to Laugh.” The event, held Tuesday at the Avalon in Hollywood, benefitted the AllianceforChildren’sRights, a non-profit organization that provides legal assistance and a safe environment for youth in the foster care system. The cause is closer to Gomez than you’d think.

“This is my mom’s thing,” she said, proudly turning it over to her mother Mandy Teefey.

“I was adopted, I was a teen mother,” Gomez’s mom said. “I could relate to a lot of the stories I heard at an event Alliance put together, so I reached out to see how I can help. L.A. has the highest rate of children in foster care. I saw it as an opportunity to give back to kids who could be like my kid [looking at Selena]. She’s 19, she’s almost leaving me, so I guess it’s [also] a way of honing another child.”

Gomez is all grown up. She just wrapped two edgy films—Spring Breakers, which she stars opposite Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco (jealous!) and TheGetaway, which took her to Bulgaria with Ethan Hawke. She also released notes of herself in a fragrance (think romantic, rich, and sweet), and keeps dropping hints about a fourth album.

“I’ll be 20 this year, so I kinda have to grow up soon,” Gomez said. “I have fans my age that I can relate to. They’ve been with me from the beginning.”

As for what’s inspiring Gomez as a singer and songwriter these days, the starlet said: “Life experience, travel...you know...growing up.”

But she’s not that grown up. Marriage isn’t in her cards any time soon: “I’m not even thinking about that.” Gomez said.

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